NATURE CLICKS #547 - BROWN PELICAN

Brown Pelicans, Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, Huntington Beach, California

It’s always a treat to watch Brown Pelicans that live along the Pacific coast. These elegant flyers catch fish by plunge diving into the water. This is much different than the American White Pelicans that we have here in the Mississippi Valley, who often swim in groups, herd the fish, and finally snatch the prey with their large bills.

The early sun of the day made for the right light on the birds while these two passed by, but it was the background that needed some attention while having the pelicans in the viewfinder. There was still a lot of gray clouds in the sky and including a bit of the blue behind them brings some color contrast into the game.

NATURE CLICKS #544 - AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN

American White Pelicans, Mississippi River, lock & dam #14, LeClaire, Iowa

The American White Pelican needs open water to make a living. They feed on fish while swimming and snatch prey with their large bills. I made a trip today down south to lock & dam #14 near LeClaire, Iowa and there was plenty of open water. The ice cover of the river lasted only in quiet bays and backwaters with very little or no current. I was hoping to find Common Mergansers at the exit of the lock but had no luck. Instead a squadron of six pelicans cruised the water back and forth. They always work together as a group while trying to catch fish and it is such a pleasure to watch these majestic birds. Unlike their cousins, the Brown Pelicans, who live a long the Pacific, Atlantic, and Gulf coast, White Pelicans do not plunge dive for food.

Nikon Z6II, Nikon FTZ adapter, Sigma 150-600mm / f5-6.3 DG OS HSM S

It is very easy to blow out the highlights in the pelican’s plumage when the sun is shining. I underexpose by at least 1 stop to prevent this. It’s always possible to brighten the water a little bit if you think this is necessary, but a blown out highlight is a lost cause.